Meet Kenny Adrian

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kenny Adrian and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kenny, what role has risk played in your life or career?
In the past, I tended to play it pretty safe and stick within my comfort zone. I liked to maintain a high degree of control and predictability in my life. But as I’ve grown personally and professionally, I’ve had to become more comfortable with risk-taking.

These days, I try to approach risk in a much more positive light. I recognize that stepping outside my comfort zone is often what opens the door to new possibilities and growth opportunities. Even if a risk doesn’t pan out exactly as planned, I find value in the experience. Every setback provides a chance to learn, refine my approach, and build resilience. And sometimes, the most unexpected outcomes end up being the most rewarding. I’ve met some of the most inspiring individuals from taking a risk to reach out as a stranger!

So while I’ll always have a cautious side, I’ve made a conscious effort to reframe my relationship with risk. I now see it as an essential part of the creative process – one that, when approached thoughtfully, can unlock incredible growth and opportunity. It’s about being willing to take that leap, knowing that even if you fall, you’ll land somewhere worth exploring.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I compose music for film and video game and I find it so fulfilling everyday! I was a classically-trained pianist. But growing up, my musical tastes were always incredibly eclectic – thanks in large part to my dad, who would constantly download all sorts of diverse genres and styles onto an old mp3 player that he would lend me. That exposure to such a wide array of music really opened up my musical vocabulary in ways that I don’t think would have happened otherwise. Composing was something that came a little later and I credit it to our shared activity of watching movies on the weekends as a family. It was because of this that I started noticing music more in movies. I became fascinated by the idea of being able to do that myself— how cool would it be to support the story and invoke such emotions?

Of course, the path to getting to this point hasn’t always been an easy one. There have been plenty of challenges, setbacks, and steep learning curves along the way. But through it all, I’ve gained an incredible wealth of knowledge, both technical and creative, and I’ve had the privilege of connecting with so many wonderful, talented individuals who have mentored and inspired me.

At the end of the day, I’m just consistently in awe of the power of music to elevate the human experience. And the idea that I get to play a role in that process – to help bring new stories and worlds to life through my music – is truly exciting!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Hmm, I’m still relatively new to the LA area, having spent most of my time previously on the East Coast. So I’m definitely still exploring and discovering new places for myself as well. But if I had to recommend a favorite spot to bring a friend, it would probably be Little Tokyo. It’s such a fun, vibrant neighborhood with so many unique shops and eateries. Bunkado is probably my favorite store there – it’s always great to support local small businesses. The dessert selection here is great too, which is perfect for someone like me with a major sweet tooth. I really like Midori Matcha for their Hojicha Latte. As a foodie, I’ve also really been enjoying exploring the diverse Asian cuisine options in Koreatown. My current comfort food is the spicy knife-cut noodles from MDK Noodles. K-town also has great cafes, my favorite being Cafe de Mama for their Black Sesame Latte, you might even bump into me there.

I haven’t had a chance to check them out yet, but I’ve heard great things about the flea markets around LA, like the Silverlake Flea, Frogtown Flea, and the Rose Bowl Flea. Definitely on my list for future adventures!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Definitely the core support system in my life has been crucial to my journey so far. First and foremost, my family back home in Indonesia has been an unwavering source of encouragement and confidence. Even though we’re separated by thousands of miles, they’ve always believed in me and my abilities, even when I’ve struggled with self-doubt and impostor syndrome. Knowing that I have their unconditional love and support is what motivates me to keep striving for more – I want to be someone they can be proud of!

And then my friends, who have stuck by me through all the challenges of navigating a career path that requires so much time and distance. The timezone differences we have to contend with can make maintaining those close friendships really interesting, but we’ve managed to make it work. Just having that trusted circle of people who will lend an ear, offer advice, and celebrate my wins – even from afar – has been invaluable. And there’s nothing quite like finally getting the chance to reconnect in person and catch up face-to-face.

I also have to give a shoutout to all the other people I’ve met along the way, whether through professional connections or just chance encounters. Every helping hand, every thoughtful coffee chat, every small gesture of kindness or support has meant the world to me, even if the person didn’t realize the full impact of their actions. In this industry, you quickly learn the value of community and building meaningful relationships. And I’m truly grateful for all the individuals who have reached out to offer guidance, open doors, or simply lend an empathetic ear when I needed it most.

Website: https://play.reelcrafter.com/kennyadrian/music

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenadriian/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-adrian-62b70a1bb/

Image Credits
Ryan Nava